The Hare and the Tortoise
A speedy hare learns a valuable lesson about patience and perseverance in a race with a slow yet steady tortoise.
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Once upon a time, in a sunny meadow, lived a hare and a tortoise. The hare was very proud of his speed and often bragged about how fast he could run. “I’m the fastest animal in the meadow!” he would say, hopping around with excitement. “No one can beat me in a race!”
The tortoise, on the other hand, was quiet and slow. He didn’t boast or make a fuss, but he was always steady in whatever he did. One day, tired of the hare’s bragging, the tortoise spoke up. “Hare,” he said calmly, “I may be slow, but I believe I could beat you in a race.”
The hare burst out laughing. “You? Beat me in a race? That’s the funniest thing I’ve ever heard!” He hopped around, still chuckling. “Alright, Tortoise, let’s race! I’ll show everyone how fast I am, and you’ll see how hopeless it is to challenge me!”
The other animals in the meadow gathered to watch. They were curious to see how this race would turn out, even though most of them believed the hare would win easily.
The race began, and the hare shot off like a lightning bolt, racing far ahead of the tortoise within seconds. “This is going to be too easy!” the hare thought, looking back at the slow-moving tortoise. “I have plenty of time. I think I’ll take a little nap.”
So, the hare found a shady spot under a tree, curled up, and fell fast asleep, confident that he would win without any effort.
Meanwhile, the tortoise kept going. Step by slow step, he moved forward, never stopping, never rushing. The other animals watched as the tortoise steadily made his way along the path, inching closer to the finish line.
Hours passed, and the sun began to lower in the sky. The tortoise was still moving forward, slowly but surely. Finally, he was just a few steps away from the finish line.
At that moment, the hare woke up with a big stretch. “Oh no! I must have overslept,” he yawned, looking around. Then he saw the tortoise, nearly at the finish line. Panic filled the hare as he jumped up and dashed toward the end of the race.
But it was too late.
With one last determined step, the tortoise crossed the finish line just as the hare raced up behind him. The animals cheered, amazed at what had just happened. The hare stood there, panting and shocked. “How… how did you win?” he asked, out of breath.
The tortoise smiled softly. “You may be fast, but I was steady and didn’t stop. Sometimes, it’s not about how quickly you go, but about keeping on, no matter what.”
The hare hung his head in embarrassment. He had learned a valuable lesson that day. It wasn’t enough to be quick and proud. Being steady, focused, and determined could lead to victory, even when the odds seemed impossible.
From that day on, the hare stopped boasting about his speed, and he always remembered that slow and steady can win the race.
Moral:
Slow and steady wins the race. It’s not always about speed, but about determination and persistence in reaching your goal.
Parenting Tip: This classic tale is a great way to teach children about persistence and humility. Encourage your child to focus on steady progress toward their goals, even if they feel others are ahead of them. Discuss the value of effort, patience, and the importance of not underestimating others.
Fun Questions For Curious Kids:
Here are some exciting questions to spark conversations with your child about “The Tortoise and the Hare”:
- Why do you think the hare stopped to take a nap during the race?
- How did the tortoise feel when he saw how far ahead the hare was?
- What would you have done if you were the hare? Would you have napped or kept going?
- Why do you think the tortoise won the race even though he was slower?
- Have you ever worked hard and achieved something, even when it seemed difficult?
- Which animal do you think you are more like—the speedy hare or the patient tortoise? Why?
- What lesson do you think the hare learned after losing the race?
- If you were the tortoise, how would you celebrate your big win?
Did You Know? Fun Animal Facts!
- Tortoises can live a very long time—some live to be over 150 years old!
- Even though they are slow on land, tortoises are surprisingly good at swimming in water.
- Tortoises have a hard shell made of bony plates called “scutes” that protect them from predators.
- Hares are incredibly fast runners and can reach speeds of up to 45 miles per hour!
- Unlike rabbits, hares are born with fur and open eyes, ready to run just hours after birth.
- Hares have long ears to help them hear predators and keep cool by releasing heat.
Download Free Coloring Pages Related To This Story
Bring the story to life with coloring pages designed to spark creativity and make story time even more fun. Coloring helps kids express their creativity, improve focus, and reinforce the story’s themes in a fun, engaging way. After reading together, let them bring the story to life with colors!
Click on any of the free coloring pages below to download or print it!